Banstead Athletic 1 vs 4 Chessington & Hook United

The seven game losing streak was ended in some style on Tuesday night with a fine win against a Banstead side that must have been confident of a victory themselves given our recent form.

With a number of new faces introduced, we immediately looked more competitive although the opening moments of the game had us on the back foot as the hosts pushed hard. Thankfully we defended well and although we were being asked questions Sharpe, Lang, Fontana (made captain for the night), Oldershaw and Ellis played with composure and confidence.

As we began to settle our attacking threat grew, and Neil Wicks on his first start for the club since returning looked lively throughout and was denied twice in the first half. Firstly an offside flag chalked out a fine finish, and then a last ditch block deflected his goal bound strike over the bar.

More and more we were out passing our opponents and several moves where they had struggled to get near us only failed at the final attempt. The five-man midfield of White, Coombes, Gooden, Leacock and Brazil worked tirelessly and certainly assumed control of the game.

Set plays were playing a major part in the game and the delivery of Ellis and Leacock were causing the hosts problems. Oldershaw with possibly the best chance when he headed over.

On forty minutes a vicious tackle on Brazil saw a mass brawl, which resulted in Bansteads seven and Luke Fontana being shown red. Luke unluckily so given his actions. Dan Coombes took over the captain’s armband as the dust settled.

The half time break probably came at the right time for both sides with tempers frayed and both managers needing to readjust their sides.

The second half started in similar fashion with both sides fighting for supremacy and it was us who took the lead fifteen minutes in.
Aaron Leacock`s free kick found Dan Coombes, who’s clever run saw him find space at the back post and his cross come shot found Nicky White who controlled and volleyed home in one movement.

This gave us the lift we needed and taking the lead in a game for the first time in some while allowed us to relax.

Just seven minutes later we scored again, when a fine break down our left saw Jimmy Brazil run through unchallenged before confidently sliding his shot past the static goalkeeper.

The expected response was not long in coming and owed a lot to a referee who was conned into awarding the softest of penalty’s for a blatant dive. The home dugout surprised but thankful of the gifted route back into the game.

The setback affected us and for five minutes we were quite flat and although untroubled we lost our momentum completely.

Within fifteen to go we restored our two-goal advantage when substitute Cameron Goff who had replaced Jimmy Brazil fired home from twenty-five yards for a debut goal on his return to the club.

The goal effectively ended the hosts resistance and whilst not threatening too often we enjoyed good possession and were comfortable.

With ten to go Neil Wicks was replaced by another debutant in Ryan Augustine, and his pace kept the Banstead defence under pressure ensuring that we had an attacking threat each time we cleared. Having said that we were still producing some good football even at this late stage and that was rewarded with just five minutes to go.

Nicky White who had a tremendous game, capped his personal night of glory with an exquisite chip from the edge of the box and that was that.

His reward was to be substituted before the restart with Tyrone Roberts his replacement.

With the game in stoppage time there were still two further openings for us. Firstly Tyrone Roberts eluded two markers but was thwarted by the third defender as he was about to get his shot away, and then Ryan Augustine was crudely brought down when aiming to go clear leaving us with nothing more than a free kick.

However with the final whistle imminent we didn’t complain as the game was done.

A fine performance to go with the result.

On a final note and as a means for standing up for this club it was interesting to read on the combined counties forum that we supposedly only had four attempts on goal and were fortunate to win.
It does appear we really are disliked!